Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control

Cancer

Smoking Behaviour of Canadians
Cycle 2, 1996/97 (January 1999, No. 1)

Overview of Results

Prevalence and Amount Smoked

In 1996/97, 29% (6,764,000) of Canadians aged 15 and over smoked, a slight decrease from the 31% observed in 1994/95. Current smokers in 1996/97 consisted of 25% (5,829,000) who smoked daily and 4% (935,000) who smoked occasionally. A higher percentage of males than females were current smokers in 1996/97, 32% and 26% respectively. This was observed for all age groups, except those aged 15-19 (Figure 1.2-1). Smoking prevalence also varied slightly by age, with 15 to 19 year olds and those over 55 exhibiting lower prevalence than other age groups (Figure 1.2-1).

Canadian adults who smoked every day reported smoking an average of 18 cigarettes. Males reported smoking more cigarettes per day than females (19 and 16 cigarettes/day respectively). The number of cigarettes smoked by daily smokers increased with successive age groups, until the age of 55 and older (Figure 1.2-2).

Overall, 44% of Canadians aged 15 and over reported having never smoked and 51% of ever-smokers had quit as of 1996/97. Women were more likely than men to have never smoked (48% vs 39%). Smokers of both sexes were equally likely to have quit by 1996/97.

Prevalence Among the Very Young

Of young teens aged 12 to 14, 8% were current smokers. Of these, half were daily smokers and half were occasional smokers. An estimated 9% of young female teens and 6% of young male teens were current smokers, though the variability of the estimates was high enough to warrant caution when interpreting these results.

In the 1994/95 survey, 9% of 12 to 14 year olds were current smokers. In 1996/97, 79% of young teens reported never having smoked compared with 71% in 1994/95.

Starting and Stopping

The longitudinal design of the National Population Health Survey (NPHS) allows changes in smoking behaviour to be followed over time. The smoking status of those aged 15 and over in 1996/97 was compared with their reported status in 1994/95.

Overall, more than 329,000 Canadians aged 15 and over started smoking for the first time between 1994/95 and 1996/97, the vast majority being under the age of 25 . An estimated 618,000 former smokers also began smoking again during this time period (9% of former smokers in 1994/95). These 947,000 new smokers and relapsed quitters replaced the estimated 968,000 smokers who quit smoking between 1994/95 and 1996/97. The number who quit represented approximately 14% of the more than 6.7 million Canadian residents who smoked in 1994/95.

Concerns about health was the main reason given both for quitting and for cutting down on amount smoked. The smoking behaviour of others (i.e., everyone around me smokes; family/friends smoke) was the main reason given both for starting to smoke and for taking up the habit again. Stress was the main reason given for switching from occasional to daily smoking between 1994/95 and 1996/97.

Intentions to Quit

About one-half of all daily smokers in Canada (49%) said they intended to quit smoking in the next six months, with little difference between males and females. Of those smokers over 55, only 41% said they intended to quit in the next six months. Young smokers aged 15 to 24 were more likely to report considering quitting than any other age group, with 54% stating that they intended to quit smoking in the next six months.

Estimation of Addiction

One measure of level of addiction to smoking is the time that elapses from when daily smokers wake up to when they have their first cigarette. Nationally, 24% of daily smokers aged 15 and over smoked their first cigarette within 5 minutes of waking with an additional 36% smoking their first within 6-30 minutes after waking. The percentage of smokers who had their first cigarette within 30 minutes of waking increased with age, with a slight decrease after age 55.

Perceived Health Risk

Nearly all Canadians (91% of current smokers and 97% of non-smokers) believed smoking causes health problems in smokers. A strong majority of Canadians, including 70% of current smokers and 88% of non-smokers, also believed environmental tobacco smoke can cause health problems in non-smokers.

Environmental Tobacco Smoke

In 1996/97, an estimated 33% of children under 12 were regularly exposed to environmental tobacco smoke in their homes. An estimated 28% of daily smokers reported that they were not restricted from smoking at their work place. In addition, 74% of non-smokers and 41% of smokers said they sometimes experience the unpleasant effects of environmental tobacco smoke. Most Canadians (94% of non-smokers, 83% of current smokers) agreed that smokers should ask permission before lighting up.